Good deal on SVT-VR... Pull the trigger?

[bobyoung53]

I ran an old SVT head into an 8 ohm cab for a long time unknowingly, it didn't hurt the head but it did lose power while connected like that. I would try to find a 4 ohm cab if I were you, they're louder and sound better with the correct impedance.
I use a Magliner hand truck to move my stuff especially the head, makes moving it much easier.

 

[JimmyM]

The SVT has arrived. Tried quickly with my Super Compact. I cannot complain about the result, brilliant classic mid rangey sound. Especially when using the middle coil from the Big Al (aka PBass mode). I may just stay in P Bass mode all the time now, great stuff!

Now just to make sure... I bought the SVT-VR new so obviously it's the newest kind made overseas. Can I still safely run it in 4 Ohm with my 8 Ohm cabinet? I don't want the amp or cab to burst in smoke during a gig just because I assumed wrongly...

I've done it many times with rental SVT's made in China with no ill effects. I'm no expert on transformers, but I've sat for hours with my new Heritage SVT-CL with the same transformers as what you have, my old Heritage SVT-CL with a Heyboer output transformer spec'd to the original SVT Blue Lines, and my 69 with the original USA transformers, and I'll be danged if I can tell any difference.

 

[Arrow]

I bought one yesterday and I expected it to be more heavy than it actually was!
And that sound!!!

 

[BassmanPaul]

In my mind one should ask what the OP hopes to gain from the VR above what his current amplifier already gives him. I feel that he should rent one, if he can, and see how it works for him. If he falls in love then he can buy one. I left tube output stages behind me in the early Eighties and I have not missed them.

 

[BassmanPaul]

I bought one yesterday and I expected it to be heavier than it actually was!
And that sound!!!

Public service correction for a non native English member!

 

[gregouille23]

I thought I would do a follow up. Carrying the SVT up and down the stairs (even with a hand truck) was not cutting it unfortunately. So I planned to exchange it against an V4B. But then, I compared the SVT with my Walkabout and started playing a bit with the EQ on the WA head and on my Tone Hammer preamp. And actually, I was able to dial in an amazingly warm and vintage sound with this combination, by really pushing the gain just before break-up and using the middle coil from the Big Al. So I ended up returning the SVT altogether. As much as I loved the sound, I could not deal with the waight because of my crappy knee.

I gigged the WA this week, it's quite nice to just have a rig with head+cab combined weighing less than 20 kgs.

I just need to spend a bit more time now adjusting my tone with the WA parametric EQ, but I am already quite happy of where I ended up tone-wise!

Cheers

 

[GreyBeard]

I thought I would do a follow up. Carrying the SVT up and down the stairs (even with a hand truck) was not cutting it unfortunately. So I planned to exchange it against an V4B. But then, I compared the SVT with my Walkabout and started playing a bit with the EQ on the WA head and on my Tone Hammer preamp. And actually, I was able to dial in an amazingly warm and vintage sound with this combination, by really pushing the gain just before break-up and using the middle coil from the Big Al. So I ended up returning the SVT altogether. As much as I loved the sound, I could not deal with the waight because of my crappy knee.

I gigged the WA this week, it's quite nice to just have a rig with head+cab combined weighing less than 20 kgs.

I just need to spend a bit more time now adjusting my tone with the WA parametric EQ, but I am already quite happy of where I ended up tone-wise!

Cheers

Now you know.

 

[gregouille23]

Now you know.

Exactly! I have spent a few years looking for the bass that fits me best and found home with my Big Al 5. Now I found the rig, and I am moving on to pedals now...